Rookie Ogbonnaya is busy as lone RB at first two practices
Rookie Chris Ogbonnaya should sleep well tonight. The seventh-round draft pick from Texas was the only running back among the 34 players taking part in today’s two practices on the opening day of training camp at Rams Park. Rookies, quarterbacks and selected veterans were on the fields; the St. Louis Rams’ first full-squad practice is Friday afternoon.
Instead of fretting over his heavy workload, Ogbonnaya looked at his busy day as an opportunity to get full attention from running backs coach Sylvester Croom. “Just to get that one-on-one time with Coach Croom is good,” Ogbonnaya said. “Without all the other running backs, you can talk to him a little more. It definitely helped.”
Notes & quotes from the afternoon practice:
*First-round draftee Jason Smith was absent from both practices while his agents try to complete a deal with the Rams. Asked his level of concern, coach Steve Spagnuolo said, “We just worry about the guys that are here. But I will . . . check with Kevin (Demoff, the Rams’ executive vice president of football operations) and see where we’re at. I think we’re really close.”
*To give Ogbonnaya an occasional breather, backup QBs Kyle Boller, Brock Berlin and Keith Null took a few reps at RB.
*The players again were in shorts and shells (light shoulder pads).
*WR Sean Walker, an undrafted rookie from Vanderbilt, impressed with his receiving skills.
*FB Jerome Johnson, an undrafted rookie who played linebacker at Nevada, seems to be making a smooth transition. He’s shown good hands on passes out of the backfield.
*It’s early, but the competition between Berlin and Keith Null for the No. 3 QB job should be interesting.
*S Craig Dahl stepped in front of rookie WR Brooks Foster to pick off a pass from Boller during 7-of-7 work.
*The day’s second practice lasted just over an hour.
All for now . . .
Unless he totally blows in training camp, Null should be the third string QB. The third string is meant to be a young developmental guy and Berlin should be past that point. Since the Rams didn’t have the confidence in him to back up Bulger, he needs to go.
Hey Z-Dog, Lets get real about Berlin and Null. Admittedly Berlin was somewhat immature in the early days of his career. But Berlin was an absolutye standout playing for Miami (a big-time program and a pressure cooker for QB’s). He was a huge success there. Last year, in the pre-season games, he was the best QB on the field - by a long ways. Null may be a great prospect, and probably is, but he played at a small school, very much out of the limelight, and I have read that his arm strength is not spectacular. Berlin’s arm strength is awesome, as is his accuracy. Last year,, as bulger kept showing he was afraid of the rush, as he “forgot” to step up into the pocket and was repeatedly caught from behind, as his accuracy suffered, I kept wondering whnat was wrong with the coaches, not putting Berlin in. Bulger was shell shocked and Berlin was ready to go but got no chance. To0 me that was a big time coaching mistake, and certainly not the only mistake made by both Linehan and his successor. there were people on the roster who probably would have done better in a number of positions, but got no chances. That’s why we have new coaches and management WHO ARE NOT AFRAID TO USE YOUNG PLAYERS
I agree Orf….every body is jumping on the Null band wagon for some reason. While I find the kid an interesting, although a stretch, draft pick. Berlin has been here and will get as much of a chance as Null. Null dominated at his level but the jump to NFL is monumental for a div 27 player.
Keith Null should probably go to he practice squad for a year before he is the third guy IMHO, if he performs well maybe i will change my mind…